US20170136843A1 - Suspension damper with by-pass valves - Google Patents
Suspension damper with by-pass valves Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170136843A1 US20170136843A1 US15/418,322 US201715418322A US2017136843A1 US 20170136843 A1 US20170136843 A1 US 20170136843A1 US 201715418322 A US201715418322 A US 201715418322A US 2017136843 A1 US2017136843 A1 US 2017136843A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- reservoir
- remotely
- cylinder
- working fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G17/00—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load
- B60G17/06—Characteristics of dampers, e.g. mechanical dampers
- B60G17/08—Characteristics of fluid dampers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G13/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of vibration dampers
- B60G13/02—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of vibration dampers having dampers dissipating energy, e.g. frictionally
- B60G13/06—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or type of vibration dampers having dampers dissipating energy, e.g. frictionally of fluid type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/06—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using both gas and liquid
- F16F9/064—Units characterised by the location or shape of the expansion chamber
- F16F9/065—Expansion chamber provided on the upper or lower end of a damper, separately there from or laterally on the damper
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/10—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using liquid only; using a fluid of which the nature is immaterial
- F16F9/14—Devices with one or more members, e.g. pistons, vanes, moving to and fro in chambers and using throttling effect
- F16F9/16—Devices with one or more members, e.g. pistons, vanes, moving to and fro in chambers and using throttling effect involving only straight-line movement of the effective parts
- F16F9/18—Devices with one or more members, e.g. pistons, vanes, moving to and fro in chambers and using throttling effect involving only straight-line movement of the effective parts with a closed cylinder and a piston separating two or more working spaces therein
- F16F9/19—Devices with one or more members, e.g. pistons, vanes, moving to and fro in chambers and using throttling effect involving only straight-line movement of the effective parts with a closed cylinder and a piston separating two or more working spaces therein with a single cylinder and of single-tube type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/32—Details
- F16F9/44—Means on or in the damper for manual or non-automatic adjustment; such means combined with temperature correction
- F16F9/446—Adjustment of valve bias or pre-stress
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/32—Details
- F16F9/44—Means on or in the damper for manual or non-automatic adjustment; such means combined with temperature correction
- F16F9/46—Means on or in the damper for manual or non-automatic adjustment; such means combined with temperature correction allowing control from a distance, i.e. location of means for control input being remote from site of valves, e.g. on damper external wall
- F16F9/466—Throttling control, i.e. regulation of flow passage geometry
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/32—Details
- F16F9/50—Special means providing automatic damping adjustment, i.e. self-adjustment of damping by particular sliding movements of a valve element, other than flexions or displacement of valve discs; Special means providing self-adjustment of spring characteristics
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
- B60G2202/20—Type of damper
- B60G2202/24—Fluid damper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2500/00—Indexing codes relating to the regulated action or device
- B60G2500/10—Damping action or damper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2800/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of movement or to the condition of the vehicle and to the end result to be achieved by the control action
- B60G2800/16—Running
- B60G2800/162—Reducing road induced vibrations
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F2228/00—Functional characteristics, e.g. variability, frequency-dependence
- F16F2228/06—Stiffness
- F16F2228/066—Variable stiffness
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/32—Details
- F16F9/34—Special valve constructions; Shape or construction of throttling passages
Definitions
- Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a damper assembly for a vehicle. More specifically, certain embodiments relate to valves used in conjunction with a vehicle damper.
- Vehicle suspension systems typically include a spring component or components and a dampening component or components.
- mechanical springs like helical springs, are used with some type of viscous fluid-based dampening mechanism and the two are mounted functionally in parallel.
- features of the damper or spring are user-adjustable. What is needed is an improved method and apparatus for varying dampening characteristics.
- FIG. 1A illustrates a section view of a suspension damper, in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 1B illustrates a section view of a suspension damper, in which the damper piston of the suspension damper is moving in a compression stroke, in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a section view of a suspension damper, in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 2B illustrates a section views of the reservoir 140 showing valves of the valve assembly in various positions during a compression stroke of the damper, in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example intensifier piston (as described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028) of a pressure intensifier damper arrangement , in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are a section view of a suspension damper 100 .
- the suspension damper 100 includes a cylinder portion 102 with a damper rod 107 and a damper piston 105 .
- fluid meters from one side of the damper piston 105 to the other side by passing through flow paths (at least one flow path) formed in the damper piston 105 .
- shims at least one shim are used to partially obstruct flow paths through the damper piston 105 in two directions. By selecting shims having certain desired stiffness characteristics, the dampening effects caused by the damper piston 105 can be increased or decreased and dampening rates can be different between the compression and rebound strokes of the damper piston 105 .
- damper piston is moving in a compression stroke (as shown by directional arrow 117 ) with the damper rod 107 and damper piston 105 moving further into the compression portion 104 and causing fluid to flow from a compression portion 104 to a rebound chamber 135 of the rebound side of the cylinder portion 102 via flow paths 112 and 111 .
- damper piston apertures may be included in planes other than those shown (e.g. other than apertures used by paths 111 and 112 ) and further that such apertures may, or may not, be subject to the shims as shown (because for example, the shims may be clover-shaped or have some other non-circular shape).
- the damper piston 105 is solid and all damping flow must traverse a flow bypass (e.g. as shown in FIG. 2A space 150 between cylinder 102 and inner wall 151 within the cylinder 102 ) and/or communicate with a reservoir.
- a flow bypass e.g. as shown in FIG. 2A space 150 between cylinder 102 and inner wall 151 within the cylinder 102
- compression stroke flow may traverse the damper piston 105 via a first flow path 112 (e.g., an in board flow path) and/or via a second flow path 111 (e.g., an out board flow path).
- the second flow path 111 is unrestricted and allows by-pass so that the damper piston may travel more freely in compression.
- the first flow path 112 is restricted by shims and provides more rigid compression damping flow (hence suspension movement).
- the compression portion 104 is partially defined by the first side 177 of the piston 105 .
- the rebound chamber 135 is partially defined by the second side 179 of the piston 105 .
- a by-pass shut off valve 120 is located toward an end of the compression portion 104 of cylinder 102 and is biased away from that end by spring 122 .
- the damper piston 105 moves toward the by-pass shut off valve until the surface 121 abuts a radially outer portion of leading surface 126 of damper piston 105 .
- the annular surface 121 covers all by-pass ports 111 (flow path 111 ) located along the outer edge of the damper piston 105 thereby closing off the compression fluid bypass through those ports.
- Remaining compression fluid must traverse the damper piston 105 via ports 112 where that fluid will be subject to restriction of the compression shims.
- damper piston is moving in a rebound stroke (opposite that shown by directional arrow 117 of FIG. 1B ) with the damper rod 107 and damper piston 105 moving further out of the compression portion 104 and causing fluid to flow from a rebound chamber 135 of the rebound to a compression portion 104 of the cylinder portion 102 via flow paths 110 A, 110 B, and 109 .
- damper piston apertures 109 may be included in planes other than those shown (e.g. other than apertures used by paths 110 and 109 ) and further that such apertures may, or may not, be subject to the shims as shown (because for example, the shims may be clover-shaped or have some other non-circular shape).
- the damper piston 105 is solid and all damping flow must traverse a flow bypass (e.g. as shown in FIG. 2A , space 150 between cylinder 102 and the inner wall 151 within the cylinder 102 ) and/or communicate with a reservoir.
- a flow bypass e.g. as shown in FIG. 2A , space 150 between cylinder 102 and the inner wall 151 within the cylinder 102
- fluid within rebound chamber 135 fluid flows into flow paths 110 (first set of radially outward directed paths) as the damper rod 107 moves outward from cylinder compression portion 104 .
- Rebound flow moves from paths 110 to a central flow path within the damper rod 107 and then to one or more (a second set) radially outward directed paths 109 which traverse shim valves before opening into compression chamber 104 .
- the rebound fluid flow is thereby at least partially restricted by the shims although such restriction may be minimal or non-existent if the shims are not present or are by-passed.
- shut off valve first shut off valve 130
- ports 110 A are covered by an inner diameter of shut off valve sleeve 130 (first sleeve)
- rebound fluid flow there through is correspondingly shut off.
- Rebound fluid flow is substantially closed when further movement of damper rod 107 places ports 1106 under sleeve 130 .
- the sequential closing of the ports 110 A and 110 B facilitates a gradual increase in rebound damping with damper rod position during rebound stroke.
- axially displaced port sets 110 A and 110 B are exemplary and that more axially displaced port sets may be located at distances along the damper rod 107 to increase the sequential increase of the damping function.
- damper rod 107 may be extended further out of the compression side of the damper piston 105 and such extension may include radially situated axially spaced flow ports like 110 A and 110 B which would engage with an inner diameter of a sleeve like shut off valve sleeve 130 in place of the ring of the by-pass shut off valve 120 to create a sequential damping by-pass reduction during a compression stroke.
- the damper includes an annular bypass formed between a wall of cylinder portion 102 and an inner wall 151 having a slightly smaller diameter than the cylinder wall. In this manner a space 150 is provided between the walls. (In one embodiment, the space 150 is annular.) In one embodiment, at least one port through wall 151 on the compression side of the cylinder and another port through wall 151 on the rebound chamber 135 of the rebound side permit working fluid to pass between the compression portion 104 and the rebound chamber 135 of the rebound side without moving through the shimmed paths provided by the damper piston 105 .
- the bypass feature is utilized so long as the damper piston is between the two ports in either the compression or rebound strokes.
- the lower portion of the damper rod 107 is supplied with a bushing set 155 for connecting to a portion of a vehicle wheel suspension linkage.
- An upper portion of the cylinder portion 102 may be supplied with an eyelet 108 to be mounted to another portion of the vehicle, such as the frame, that moves independently of the first part.
- a spring member (not shown) is usually mounted to act between the same portions of the vehicle as the damper. As the damper rod 107 and damper piston 105 move into cylinder portion 102 (during compression), the damping fluid slows the movement of the two portions of the vehicle relative to each other due, at least in part, to the incompressible fluid moving through the shimmed paths provided in the damper piston 105 and/or through the metered bypass.
- damper rod 107 and damper piston 105 move out of the cylinder portion 102 (during extension or “rebound”) fluid meters again through shimmed paths and the flow rate and corresponding rebound rate may be controlled, at least in part, by the shims.
- a reservoir 140 is in fluid communication with the damper cylinder 102 for receiving and supplying damping fluid as the damper piston damper rod 107 moves in and out of the cylinder portion 102 thereby variably displacing damping fluid.
- the reservoir 140 includes a cylinder portion in fluid communication with the compression portion 104 of the damper cylinder portion 102 via a fluid conduit 10 which houses a fluid path between the components.
- the reservoir 140 also includes a floating damper piston 141 with a volume of gas in a gas portion on a backside (“blind end” side) of it, the gas being compressible as a damping fluid portion 132 of the cylinder of the reservoir fills with damping fluid due to movement of the damper rod 107 into the damper cylinder 102 .
- the pressure of gas in the reservoir can be adjusted with compressed air introduced through a gas valve located at a lower end of the reservoir cylinder.
- a gas valve located at a lower end of the reservoir cylinder.
- the damping characteristics of the damper are altered by at least one valve that regulates flow between the compression chamber 104 and the fluid portion 132 of the reservoir 140 .
- a reservoir valve assembly includes valves 210 a, 210 b, and 220 , each of which (monitors) permits, prevents or impedes fluid flow into the reservoir fluid portion 132 .
- the valves 210 a, 210 b, and 220 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B .
- FIG. 2B shows section views of the reservoir 140 showing valves of the valve assembly in various positions during a compression stroke of the damper.
- valve assembly is attached at an upper end of the cylinder portion of the reservoir 140 and serves to seal the fluid portion 132 .
- Valves 210 includes a pathway leading from the fluid conduit 10 into the fluid portion 132 of the reservoir.
- One or both of valves 210 a and 210 b includes shims (a first set of shims [wherein the first set includes one or more shims]) functionally like those used in damper piston 105 and designed to offer predetermined resistance to fluid flow passing into the reservoir 140 during compression of the damper.
- Another set of shims (a second set of shims [wherein the second set includes one or more shims]) of valves 210 a and 210 b meter the flow of fluid out of the fluid portion 132 of the reservoir 140 during a rebound stroke of the damper.
- the flow of fluid into and through valves 210 during a compression stroke is shown by arrows. As shown, the flow of fluid has un-seated shims to permit the flow of fluid into the fluid portion 132 .
- the reservoir also includes a remotely-operable valve 220 and includes a movable plunger 222 that is substantially sealable on a seat 225 .
- the valve 220 is open with a fluid path there through shown by an arrow. While FIG. 2B shows both all valves open and fluid flow by-passing valve 210 a, it will be understood that depending upon the design of the system, including the selection of shims, valve 210 a could remain closed and fluid might flow only through valve 220 that is open or alternatively fluid may flow through both valve 210 a and valve 220 simultaneously albeit in selected proportions.
- remotely-operable valve 220 is shown in a closed position with the plunger 222 seated upon seat 225 .
- the valve 220 is shifted between an open and closed position by a solenoid located adjacent the valve and capable of receiving an electrical signal and causing the mechanical movement of the plunger 222 .
- the solenoid operates in a “stepper” manner having selectable stroke (e.g. based on electric signal input) that partially closes or partially opens the valve 220 , thereby permitting or restricting flow without completely opening or closing the valve (e.g. as in an infinitely variable throttle operating between absolute open and absolute closed positions).
- valve 210 b provides a positive “base” damping resistance regardless of whether compliant damping (valve 220 open) or more rigid damping (valve 220 closed) is selected. Such positive base damping helps the damper avoid cavitation during extremely rapid compression.
- the solenoid-operated valve 220 is normally open (as shown in FIG. 2B ) with working or damping fluid permitted to flow through both valves 210 , 220 of reservoir.
- additional fluid may also bypass the shims of damper piston 105 due to the space 150 (e.g., an annular bypass) with its ports ( FIG. 2A ).
- the foregoing configuration describes a “compliant” damping mode with reduced dampening which is suitable for “plush” shock absorption. Such mode may also allow a so-equipped vehicle to pitch or roll during braking or cornering respectively however. As such, while compliant damping is sometimes preferable (e.g.
- the normally-open solenoid valve 220 may be, at the user's discretion, partially or completely closed as it appears in FIG. 2A , to increase a damping rate of the damper and hence its rigidity.
- Off-road use often requires a high degree of compliance to absorb shocks imparted by the widely varying terrain.
- shock absorption is often required to allow a user to maintain control of a vehicle at higher speeds. This may be especially true during cornering or braking.
- the damper operates with fluid traveling through the valves 210 A, 210 B, and 220 during a rebound stroke.
- both valves are also open to the flow of return fluid opposite the flow arrow although the arrow shows compression flow.
- the reduced rebound dampening effects permit the shock absorber to extend faster than would otherwise be possible.
- Such a setting is important in an instance where terrain is encountered that results in a sudden “drop” of the ground away from a wheel or wheels of the vehicle.
- One embodiment comprises a four wheeled vehicle having solenoid valve-equipped shock absorbers at each (of four) wheel.
- the valve 220 (which in one embodiment is cable (mechanically), pneumatically, or hydraulically operated instead of solenoid operated) of each of the front shock absorbers may be electrically connected with a linear motion activated switch (such as that which operates an automotive brake light) that is activated in conjunction with the vehicle brake pedal.
- a linear motion activated switch such as that which operates an automotive brake light
- the electric switch connects a power supply to the normally open solenoid in each of the front shocks, thereby closing the valve in those shocks.
- the front shocks become more rigid during hard braking.
- Other mechanisms may be used to trigger the shocks such as accelerometers (e.g., tri-axial) for sensing pitch and roll of the vehicle and activating, via a microprocessor, the appropriate solenoid valves for optimum vehicle control.
- a vehicle steering column includes right turn and left turn limit switches such that a hard turn in either direction activates (e.g. closes valve 220 ) the solenoid on the shocks opposite that direction (for example a hard right turn would cause more rigid shocks on the vehicle left side).
- accelerometers in conjunction with a microprocessor and a switched power supply may perform the solenoid activation function by sensing the actual g-force associated with the turn (or braking; or throttle acceleration for the rear shock activation) and triggering the appropriate solenoid(s) at a preset threshold g-force.
- a pressure intensifier damper arrangement may be located within the fluid path of the remotely-operable valves 220 such that the valve 220 controls flow through that auxiliary damper which is then additive with the valve assembly.
- the valve assembly comprises a pressure intensifier (such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028 which is incorporated, entirely, herein by reference). The following is a description, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B , of a pressure intensifier damper arrangement that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028.
- a partition 310 is secured within the bore of the damper by a partition retaining ring 311 .
- This partition 310 physically divides the hydraulic fluid into one portion above the partition 310 , and another portion below it.
- the partition 310 has a plurality of rebound flow ports 320 covered by a check valve 330 which is lightly biased in contact with the partition 310 by a relatively soft check valve spring 331 .
- the partition 310 has a central compression flow port 340 which, in the position illustrated in FIG. 3B , is blocked at its upper end by the small end of an intensifier piston 350 .
- the intensifier piston 350 is located within an intensifier housing 360 , which can be integral with the damper cylinder 350 (as shown), or can be a separate structure sealed and retained within the bore of the damper cylinder 350 .
- the intensifier piston 350 is prevented from exiting the intensifier housing 360 by the intensifier retaining ring 351 .
- the intensifier piston 350 is sealingly engaged with the intensifier housing 360 at its upper (large diameter) end, as well as at its lower (smaller diameter) end.
- There is at least one vent port 370 which vents the space between the upper and lower seals of the intensifier piston 350 to outside atmospheric pressure.
- There is also at least one bi-directional flow port 380 which passes vertically through intensifier housing 360 .
- the fluid must create an upward force (pressure) at the lower (small) end of the intensifier piston 450 which is sufficient to overcome the downward force (pressure) at the upper (large) end of the intensifier piston 350 .
- a pressure at the lower end of the intensifier piston 450 that is greater than the pressure at the upper end of the intensifier piston 450 by a multiple approximately equal to the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the large end of the intensifier piston 450 to the cross-sectional area of the compression flow port 440 .
- the diameter of the small end of the intensifier piston 450 is only slightly greater than the diameter of the compression flow port 440 .
- the annular contact area between these parts is relatively quite small, and it can be said that, for flow through the compression flow port 440 , a pressure is required at the lower end of the intensifier piston 450 that is greater than the pressure at the upper end of the intensifier piston 450 by a multiple approximately equal to the ratio of the area of its large end divided by the area of its small end.
- the diameter of the large end of the intensifier piston 450 is twice the diameter of the small end, and thus that the ratio of their cross-sectional areas is 4:1.
- the diameter of the piston rod 320 is O1 ⁇ 2′′, and thus it has a cross-sectional area of about 0.2 square inches.
- the damping piston 340 has traveled inward into the damper cylinder 350 some distance (i.e., it is not fully-extended or “topped-out” against the seal head 330 ), as shown in FIG. 3A .
- the pressure of the internally-pressurized chamber 380 above the floating piston is 100 psi.
- static conditions with the damping piston 340 not moving.
- the damping piston 340 has several large thru-holes and no restrictive valving (note that, actually, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally do incorporate restrictive valving on the damping piston 340 which does create compression damping forces).
- the damping piston 340 itself creates no compression damping forces.
- the 400psi pressure created at the small end of the intensifier piston 450 acts uniformly throughout all portions of damper cylinder 350 below the intensifier piston 450 . Acting on the 0.2 square inch cross-sectional area of the piston rod 320 , it creates an 80-pound “dynamic nose force”.
- the intensifier piston 450 in terms of an example operational application, in the following it will be assumed that the above compression stroke continues inward for a distance sufficient to move the floating piston 360 upward some amount and increase the pressure in the internally-pressurized chamber 380 from 100 psi to 150 psi.
- This 150 psi pressure acts on the large end of the intensifier piston 450 and now approximately 600 psi pressure (basic 4:1 ratio) is required at the small end of the intensifier piston 350 in order for it to remain open, allowing continuation of the compression stroke.
- 600 psi now acting on the 0.2 square inch cross-sectional area of the piston rod 320 a 120-pound “dynamic nose force” is now produced.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028 produces a “position-sensitive” compression damping effect, with the compression damping force increasing as the piston rod 320 and the damping piston 340 moves further into the damper cylinder 350 .
- the extent and degree of this position-sensitive effect is influenced by the pre-set volume of the internally-pressurized chamber 380 above the floating piston 360 , relative to the diameter and maximum available travel of the piston rod 320 . If the pre-set volume of the internally-pressurized chamber 380 is relatively large, the position-sensitive effect is reduced. If the pre-set volume is relatively small, the position-sensitive effect is increased.
- valves 210 , 220 comprise standard shim-type dampers. In one embodiment one or both of the valves 210 , 220 include an adjustable needle for low speed bleed. In one embodiment a blow off (e.g. checking poppet-type or shim) is included in one of the flow paths associated with the valves 210 , 220 .
- the remotely-operable valve 220 may be solenoid or hydraulically operated or pneumatically operated or operated by any other suitable motive mechanism.
- the valve may be operated remotely by a switch or potentiometer located in the cockpit of a vehicle or attached to appropriate operational parts of a vehicle for timely activation (e.g. brake pedal) or may be operated in response to input from a microprocessor (e.g. calculating desired settings based on vehicle acceleration sensor data) or any suitable combination of activation means.
- a controller for the adjustable pressure source (or for both the source and the valve) may be cockpit mounted and may be manually adjustable or microprocessor controlled or both or selectively either.
- One embodiment comprises a four wheeled vehicle having solenoid valve equipped shock absorbers at each (of four) wheel.
- the solenoid valve (which in one embodiment is cable operated instead of solenoid operated) of each of the front shock absorbers may be electrically connected with a linear switch (such as that which operates an automotive brake light) that is activated in conjunction with the vehicle brake pedal.
- a linear switch such as that which operates an automotive brake light
- the electric switch connects a power supply to the normally open solenoid in each of the front shocks thereby closing the damping fluid flow paths in those shocks.
- Other mechanisms may be used to trigger the shocks such as accelerometers (e.g. tri-axial) for sensing pitch and roll of the vehicle and activating, via a microprocessor, the appropriate solenoid valves for optimum vehicle control.
- a vehicle steering column includes right turn and left turn limit switches such that a hard turn in either direction activates (e.g. closes path 8SA) the solenoid on the shocks opposite that direction (for example a hard right turn would cause more rigid shocks on the vehicle left side).
- accelerometers in conjunction with a microprocessor and a switched power supply may perform the solenoid activation function by sensing the actual g-force associated with the turn (or braking; or throttle acceleration for the rear shock activation) and triggering the appropriate solenoid(s) at a preset threshold g-force.
- a remotely-operable valve 220 like the one described above is particularly useful with an on-/off-road vehicle.
- These vehicles can have as more than 20′′ of shock absorber travel to permit them to negotiate rough, uneven terrain at speed with usable shock absorbing function.
- compliant dampening is necessary as the vehicle relies on its long travel suspension when encountering often large off-road obstacles. Operating a vehicle with very compliant, long travel suspension on a smooth road at higher speeds can be problematic due to the springiness/sponginess of the suspension and corresponding vehicle handling problems associated with that (e.g. turning roll, braking pitch). Such compliance can cause reduced handling characteristics and even loss of control.
- dampening characteristics of a shock absorber can be completely changed from a compliantly dampened “springy” arrangement to a highly dampened and “stiffer” (or fully locked out) system ideal for higher speeds on a smooth road.
- closure of the valve 220 can result in substantial “lock out” of the suspension (the suspension is rendered essentially rigid except for the movement of fluid through shimmed valve 210 ).
- closure of the valve 220 results in a stiffer but still functional compression damper.
- the remotely-operable valve 220 can be operated automatically based upon one or more driving conditions such as vehicle speed, damper rod speed, and damper rod position.
- One embodiment of the arrangement may automatically increase dampening in a shock absorber in the event a damper rod reaches a certain velocity in its travel towards the bottom end of a damper at a predetermined speed of the vehicle.
- the damping (and control) increases in the event of rapid operation (e.g. high damper rod velocity) of the damper to avoid a bottoming out of the damper rod as well as a loss of control that can accompany rapid compression of a shock absorber with a relative long amount of travel.
- damping increases (e.g.
- the remotely-operated valve 220 (with or without valve 210 ) can be used in a variety of ways with many different driving and road variables.
- the valve 220 is controlled based upon vehicle speed in conjunction with the angular location of the vehicle's steering wheel. In this manner, by sensing the steering wheel turn severity (angle of rotation), additional dampening can be applied to one damper or one set of dampers on one side of the vehicle (suitable for example to mitigate cornering roll) in the event of a sharp turn at a relatively high speed.
- a transducer such as an accelerometer measures other aspects of the vehicle's suspension system, like axle force and/or moments applied to various parts of the vehicle, like steering tie damper rods, and directs change to the bypass valve positioning in response thereto.
- the bypass can be controlled at least in part by a pressure transducer measuring pressure in a vehicle tire and adding dampening characteristics to some or all of the wheels in the event of, for example, an increased or decreased pressure reading.
- the damper bypass or bypasses are controlled in response to braking pressure (as measured, for example, by a brake pedal sensor or brake fluid pressure sensor or accelerometer).
- a parameter might include a gyroscopic mechanism that monitors vehicle trajectory and identifies a “spin-out” or other loss of control condition and adds and/or reduces dampening to some or all of the vehicle's dampers in the event of a loss of control to help the operator of the vehicle to regain control.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
- Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part application of and claims priority to and benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/750,336, filed on Jan. 25, 2013 entitled “SUSPENSION DAMPER WITH BY-PASS VALVES” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOX-0060-US, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference.
- The application Ser. No. 13/750,336 claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/590,577 filed on Jan. 25, 2012 entitled “SUSPENSION DAMPER WITH BY-PASS VALVES” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0060USL, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference.
- This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/366,871 filed on Jul. 22, 2010 entitled “LOCK-OUT VALVE FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0049USL, assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/381,906, filed on Sep. 10, 2010 entitled “REMOTELY ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0051USL, assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference. This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/366,871, and corresponding U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/189,216 filed on Jul. 22, 2011 entitled “SUSPENSION DAMPER WITH REMOTELY-OPERABLE VALVE” by John Marking, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,239,090 having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0049USP1, assigned to the assignee of the present application, each of which is incorporated entirely herein by reference.
- This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/010,697 filed on Jan. 20, 2011 entitled “REMOTELY OPERATED BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,580 having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0043USP1, assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference and claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/296,826 filed on Jan. 20, 2010 entitled “BYPASS LOCK-OUT VALVE FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0043USL, assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/010,697 (Atty. Dkt. No. FOXF/0043USP1) is a continuation-in-part application of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,072 filed on Jan. 7, 2010 entitled “REMOTELY OPERATED BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, now abandoned, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0032US, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is herein incorporated by reference, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/143,152 filed on Jan. 7, 2009 entitled “REMOTE BYPASS LOCK-OUT” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0032L, assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference.
- This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,072 filed on Jan. 7, 2010 entitled “REMOTELY OPERATED BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, now abandoned, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0032US, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is herein incorporated by reference, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/143,152 filed on Jan. 7, 2009 entitled “REMOTE BYPASS LOCK-OUT” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0032L, assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/175,244 filed on Jul. 1, 2011 entitled “BYPASS FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,932, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0047USP1, assigned to the assignee of the present application, which is herein incorporated by reference, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/361,127 filed on Jul. 2, 2010 entitled “BYPASS LOCK-OUT VALVE FOR A SUSPENSION DAMPER” by John Marking, having Attorney Docket No. FOXF/0047USL, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is herein incorporated by reference.
- The technologies disclosed herein may be used in suitable combination with any or all of the technologies disclosed in the foregoing related patent applications.
- Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a damper assembly for a vehicle. More specifically, certain embodiments relate to valves used in conjunction with a vehicle damper.
- Vehicle suspension systems typically include a spring component or components and a dampening component or components. Typically, mechanical springs, like helical springs, are used with some type of viscous fluid-based dampening mechanism and the two are mounted functionally in parallel. In some instances features of the damper or spring are user-adjustable. What is needed is an improved method and apparatus for varying dampening characteristics.
-
FIG. 1A illustrates a section view of a suspension damper, in accordance with an embodiment. -
FIG. 1B illustrates a section view of a suspension damper, in which the damper piston of the suspension damper is moving in a compression stroke, in accordance with an embodiment. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a section view of a suspension damper, in accordance with an embodiment. -
FIG. 2B illustrates a section views of thereservoir 140 showing valves of the valve assembly in various positions during a compression stroke of the damper, in accordance with an embodiment. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example intensifier piston (as described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028) of a pressure intensifier damper arrangement , in accordance with an embodiment. - The drawings referred to in this description should not be understood as being drawn to scale unless specifically noted.
- Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the technology will be described in conjunction with various embodiment(s), it will be understood that they are not intended to be limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present technology is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
- Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. However, embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments.
- The discussion that follows will describe the structure and functionality of embodiments.
- As used herein, the terms “down,” “up,” “downward,” “upward,” “lower,” “upper” and other directional references are relative and are used for reference only.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are a section view of a suspension damper 100. The suspension damper 100 includes acylinder portion 102 with adamper rod 107 and adamper piston 105. In one embodiment, fluid meters from one side of thedamper piston 105 to the other side by passing through flow paths (at least one flow path) formed in thedamper piston 105. In the embodiment shown, shims (at least one shim) are used to partially obstruct flow paths through thedamper piston 105 in two directions. By selecting shims having certain desired stiffness characteristics, the dampening effects caused by thedamper piston 105 can be increased or decreased and dampening rates can be different between the compression and rebound strokes of thedamper piston 105. - In
FIG. 1B , the damper piston is moving in a compression stroke (as shown by directional arrow 117) with thedamper rod 107 anddamper piston 105 moving further into thecompression portion 104 and causing fluid to flow from acompression portion 104 to arebound chamber 135 of the rebound side of thecylinder portion 102 viaflow paths paths 111 and 112) and further that such apertures may, or may not, be subject to the shims as shown (because for example, the shims may be clover-shaped or have some other non-circular shape). In one embodiment, thedamper piston 105 is solid and all damping flow must traverse a flow bypass (e.g. as shown inFIG. 2A space 150 betweencylinder 102 andinner wall 151 within the cylinder 102) and/or communicate with a reservoir. - As shown in
FIG. 1B , compression stroke flow may traverse thedamper piston 105 via a first flow path 112 (e.g., an in board flow path) and/or via a second flow path 111 (e.g., an out board flow path). Thesecond flow path 111 is unrestricted and allows by-pass so that the damper piston may travel more freely in compression. Thefirst flow path 112 is restricted by shims and provides more rigid compression damping flow (hence suspension movement). - The
compression portion 104 is partially defined by thefirst side 177 of thepiston 105. Therebound chamber 135 is partially defined by thesecond side 179 of thepiston 105. - A by-pass shut off
valve 120 is located toward an end of thecompression portion 104 ofcylinder 102 and is biased away from that end byspring 122. During a compression stroke thedamper piston 105 moves toward the by-pass shut off valve until thesurface 121 abuts a radially outer portion of leadingsurface 126 ofdamper piston 105. When such abutment occurs theannular surface 121 covers all by-pass ports 111 (flow path 111) located along the outer edge of thedamper piston 105 thereby closing off the compression fluid bypass through those ports. Remaining compression fluid must traverse thedamper piston 105 viaports 112 where that fluid will be subject to restriction of the compression shims. Following contact with the ring of the by-pass shut offvalve 120 further movement ofdamper piston 105 compressesspring 122 thereby allowing the ring of the by-pass shut offvalve 120 to move with thedamper piston 105 toward the end of the compression stroke. - In
FIG. 1A , the damper piston is moving in a rebound stroke (opposite that shown bydirectional arrow 117 ofFIG. 1B ) with thedamper rod 107 anddamper piston 105 moving further out of thecompression portion 104 and causing fluid to flow from arebound chamber 135 of the rebound to acompression portion 104 of thecylinder portion 102 viaflow paths 110A, 110B, and 109. Note thatdamper piston apertures 109 may be included in planes other than those shown (e.g. other than apertures used by paths 110 and 109) and further that such apertures may, or may not, be subject to the shims as shown (because for example, the shims may be clover-shaped or have some other non-circular shape). In one embodiment, thedamper piston 105 is solid and all damping flow must traverse a flow bypass (e.g. as shown inFIG. 2A ,space 150 betweencylinder 102 and theinner wall 151 within the cylinder 102) and/or communicate with a reservoir. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 1 A, fluid withinrebound chamber 135 fluid flows into flow paths 110 (first set of radially outward directed paths) as thedamper rod 107 moves outward fromcylinder compression portion 104. Rebound flow moves from paths 110 to a central flow path within thedamper rod 107 and then to one or more (a second set) radially outward directedpaths 109 which traverse shim valves before opening intocompression chamber 104. The rebound fluid flow is thereby at least partially restricted by the shims although such restriction may be minimal or non-existent if the shims are not present or are by-passed. - When the rebounding
damper rod 107 has moved outward far enough, the flow paths (ports or apertures) 110 reach shut off valve (first shut off valve) 130. As ports 110A are covered by an inner diameter of shut off valve sleeve 130 (first sleeve), rebound fluid flow there through is correspondingly shut off. Rebound fluid flow is substantially closed when further movement ofdamper rod 107 places ports 1106 undersleeve 130. The sequential closing of the ports 110A and 110B facilitates a gradual increase in rebound damping with damper rod position during rebound stroke. It is noted that axially displaced port sets 110A and 110B are exemplary and that more axially displaced port sets may be located at distances along thedamper rod 107 to increase the sequential increase of the damping function. It is also noted that thedamper rod 107 may be extended further out of the compression side of thedamper piston 105 and such extension may include radially situated axially spaced flow ports like 110A and 110B which would engage with an inner diameter of a sleeve like shut offvalve sleeve 130 in place of the ring of the by-pass shut offvalve 120 to create a sequential damping by-pass reduction during a compression stroke. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 2A , the damper includes an annular bypass formed between a wall ofcylinder portion 102 and aninner wall 151 having a slightly smaller diameter than the cylinder wall. In this manner aspace 150 is provided between the walls. (In one embodiment, thespace 150 is annular.) In one embodiment, at least one port throughwall 151 on the compression side of the cylinder and another port throughwall 151 on therebound chamber 135 of the rebound side permit working fluid to pass between thecompression portion 104 and therebound chamber 135 of the rebound side without moving through the shimmed paths provided by thedamper piston 105. The bypass feature is utilized so long as the damper piston is between the two ports in either the compression or rebound strokes. - The lower portion of the
damper rod 107 is supplied with abushing set 155 for connecting to a portion of a vehicle wheel suspension linkage. An upper portion of thecylinder portion 102 may be supplied with aneyelet 108 to be mounted to another portion of the vehicle, such as the frame, that moves independently of the first part. A spring member (not shown) is usually mounted to act between the same portions of the vehicle as the damper. As thedamper rod 107 anddamper piston 105 move into cylinder portion 102 (during compression), the damping fluid slows the movement of the two portions of the vehicle relative to each other due, at least in part, to the incompressible fluid moving through the shimmed paths provided in thedamper piston 105 and/or through the metered bypass. As thedamper rod 107 anddamper piston 105 move out of the cylinder portion 102 (during extension or “rebound”) fluid meters again through shimmed paths and the flow rate and corresponding rebound rate may be controlled, at least in part, by the shims. - A
reservoir 140 is in fluid communication with thedamper cylinder 102 for receiving and supplying damping fluid as the damperpiston damper rod 107 moves in and out of thecylinder portion 102 thereby variably displacing damping fluid. Thereservoir 140 includes a cylinder portion in fluid communication with thecompression portion 104 of thedamper cylinder portion 102 via afluid conduit 10 which houses a fluid path between the components. Thereservoir 140 also includes a floatingdamper piston 141 with a volume of gas in a gas portion on a backside (“blind end” side) of it, the gas being compressible as a dampingfluid portion 132 of the cylinder of the reservoir fills with damping fluid due to movement of thedamper rod 107 into thedamper cylinder 102. The pressure of gas in the reservoir can be adjusted with compressed air introduced through a gas valve located at a lower end of the reservoir cylinder. Certain features of reservoir-type dampers are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028, which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference. In one embodiment the damper includes an in-line reservoir (e.g. floating damper piston and gas charge) rather than a remote reservoir as shown in the Figures. The principles disclosed herein are equally applicable in either case. - In one embodiment, the damping characteristics of the damper are altered by at least one valve that regulates flow between the
compression chamber 104 and thefluid portion 132 of thereservoir 140. In the particular embodiment shown a reservoir valve assembly includesvalves 210 a, 210 b, and 220, each of which (monitors) permits, prevents or impedes fluid flow into thereservoir fluid portion 132. Thevalves 210 a, 210 b, and 220 are shown in more detail inFIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B .FIG. 2B shows section views of thereservoir 140 showing valves of the valve assembly in various positions during a compression stroke of the damper. - In one embodiment, the reservoir valve assembly is attached at an upper end of the cylinder portion of the
reservoir 140 and serves to seal thefluid portion 132. Valves 210 includes a pathway leading from thefluid conduit 10 into thefluid portion 132 of the reservoir. One or both of valves 210 a and 210 b includes shims (a first set of shims [wherein the first set includes one or more shims]) functionally like those used indamper piston 105 and designed to offer predetermined resistance to fluid flow passing into thereservoir 140 during compression of the damper. Another set of shims (a second set of shims [wherein the second set includes one or more shims]) of valves 210 a and 210 b meter the flow of fluid out of thefluid portion 132 of thereservoir 140 during a rebound stroke of the damper. The flow of fluid into and through valves 210 during a compression stroke is shown by arrows. As shown, the flow of fluid has un-seated shims to permit the flow of fluid into thefluid portion 132. - In one embodiment, the reservoir also includes a remotely-
operable valve 220 and includes amovable plunger 222 that is substantially sealable on aseat 225. InFIG. 2B thevalve 220 is open with a fluid path there through shown by an arrow. WhileFIG. 2B shows both all valves open and fluid flow by-passing valve 210 a, it will be understood that depending upon the design of the system, including the selection of shims, valve 210 a could remain closed and fluid might flow only throughvalve 220 that is open or alternatively fluid may flow through both valve 210 a andvalve 220 simultaneously albeit in selected proportions. - In
FIG. 2A remotely-operable valve 220 is shown in a closed position with theplunger 222 seated uponseat 225. In the embodiment shown, thevalve 220 is shifted between an open and closed position by a solenoid located adjacent the valve and capable of receiving an electrical signal and causing the mechanical movement of theplunger 222. In one embodiment, the solenoid operates in a “stepper” manner having selectable stroke (e.g. based on electric signal input) that partially closes or partially opens thevalve 220, thereby permitting or restricting flow without completely opening or closing the valve (e.g. as in an infinitely variable throttle operating between absolute open and absolute closed positions). - In one embodiment (shown in Figures), the solenoid valve (which alternatively may be operated by hydraulic cylinder) modulates flow through and around valve 210 a while flow through valve 210 b occurs under all circumstances. As such, valve 210 b provides a positive “base” damping resistance regardless of whether compliant damping (
valve 220 open) or more rigid damping (valve 220 closed) is selected. Such positive base damping helps the damper avoid cavitation during extremely rapid compression. - In one embodiment, the solenoid-operated
valve 220 is normally open (as shown inFIG. 2B ) with working or damping fluid permitted to flow through bothvalves 210, 220 of reservoir. In the early portion of the compression stroke, additional fluid may also bypass the shims ofdamper piston 105 due to the space 150 (e.g., an annular bypass) with its ports (FIG. 2A ). The foregoing configuration describes a “compliant” damping mode with reduced dampening which is suitable for “plush” shock absorption. Such mode may also allow a so-equipped vehicle to pitch or roll during braking or cornering respectively however. As such, while compliant damping is sometimes preferable (e.g. extremely rough terrain) but there are times when a more rigid damping mode is appropriate (e.g. on-highway). In one embodiment, the normally-open solenoid valve 220 may be, at the user's discretion, partially or completely closed as it appears inFIG. 2A , to increase a damping rate of the damper and hence its rigidity. - In some instances, it may be desirable to increase the damping rate when moving a vehicle from off-road to on highway use. Off-road use often requires a high degree of compliance to absorb shocks imparted by the widely varying terrain. During highway use, particularly with long wheel travel vehicles, often requires more rigid shock absorption is often required to allow a user to maintain control of a vehicle at higher speeds. This may be especially true during cornering or braking.
- In other instances, it is desirable to control/change dampening characteristics in a rebound stroke of a damper. In one embodiment, the damper operates with fluid traveling through the
valves 210A, 210B, and 220 during a rebound stroke. InFIG. 2B , both valves are also open to the flow of return fluid opposite the flow arrow although the arrow shows compression flow. The reduced rebound dampening effects permit the shock absorber to extend faster than would otherwise be possible. Such a setting is important in an instance where terrain is encountered that results in a sudden “drop” of the ground away from a wheel or wheels of the vehicle. With the remotely-operable valve 220 in a closed position, additional dampening is added to that created by the reboundingdamper piston 105. - One embodiment comprises a four wheeled vehicle having solenoid valve-equipped shock absorbers at each (of four) wheel. The valve 220 (which in one embodiment is cable (mechanically), pneumatically, or hydraulically operated instead of solenoid operated) of each of the front shock absorbers may be electrically connected with a linear motion activated switch (such as that which operates an automotive brake light) that is activated in conjunction with the vehicle brake pedal. When the brake pedal is depressed beyond a certain distance, corresponding usually to harder braking and hence potential for vehicle nose dive, the electric switch connects a power supply to the normally open solenoid in each of the front shocks, thereby closing the valve in those shocks. As such, the front shocks become more rigid during hard braking. Other mechanisms may be used to trigger the shocks such as accelerometers (e.g., tri-axial) for sensing pitch and roll of the vehicle and activating, via a microprocessor, the appropriate solenoid valves for optimum vehicle control.
- In one embodiment, a vehicle steering column includes right turn and left turn limit switches such that a hard turn in either direction activates (e.g. closes valve 220) the solenoid on the shocks opposite that direction (for example a hard right turn would cause more rigid shocks on the vehicle left side). Again, accelerometers in conjunction with a microprocessor and a switched power supply may perform the solenoid activation function by sensing the actual g-force associated with the turn (or braking; or throttle acceleration for the rear shock activation) and triggering the appropriate solenoid(s) at a preset threshold g-force.
- In one embodiment, a pressure intensifier damper arrangement may be located within the fluid path of the remotely-
operable valves 220 such that thevalve 220 controls flow through that auxiliary damper which is then additive with the valve assembly. In one embodiment the valve assembly comprises a pressure intensifier (such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028 which is incorporated, entirely, herein by reference). The following is a description, with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B , of a pressure intensifier damper arrangement that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3A and 3B , theintensifier piston 350 of a pressure intensifier damper arrangement is shown in the context of embodiments relating to U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028. A partition 310 is secured within the bore of the damper by a partition retaining ring 311. This partition 310 physically divides the hydraulic fluid into one portion above the partition 310, and another portion below it. The partition 310 has a plurality ofrebound flow ports 320 covered by acheck valve 330 which is lightly biased in contact with the partition 310 by a relatively soft check valve spring 331. Additionally, the partition 310 has a centralcompression flow port 340 which, in the position illustrated inFIG. 3B , is blocked at its upper end by the small end of anintensifier piston 350. - The
intensifier piston 350 is located within anintensifier housing 360, which can be integral with the damper cylinder 350 (as shown), or can be a separate structure sealed and retained within the bore of thedamper cylinder 350. During upward movement of theintensifier piston 350 as occurs during operation (to be described in detail further on), theintensifier piston 350 is prevented from exiting theintensifier housing 360 by the intensifier retaining ring 351. Theintensifier piston 350 is sealingly engaged with theintensifier housing 360 at its upper (large diameter) end, as well as at its lower (smaller diameter) end. There is at least onevent port 370 which vents the space between the upper and lower seals of theintensifier piston 350 to outside atmospheric pressure. There is also at least onebi-directional flow port 380 which passes vertically throughintensifier housing 360. - Still referring to
FIGS. 3A and 3B , thepressure intensifier 350 of a pressure intensifier damper arrangement is described in the following paragraphs. - During a rebound stroke, the
piston rod 320 is withdrawn from thedamper cylinder 350, resulting in some amount of vacated volume toward the lower end of thedamper cylinder 350. As described previously, this results in downward movement of the floatingpiston 360, as well as a downward flow of thehydraulic fluid 370 immediately below it. Since downward movement of the floatingpiston 360 reduces the space between the floatingpiston 360 and thepartition 410, and since hydraulic fluid is incompressible, hydraulic fluid flows down through the bi-directional flow port(s) 480. It then flows down through thepartition 410 via the rebound flow port(s) 320. It does this by opening thecheck valve 330 against the relatively light resistance of thecheck valve spring 431. - During a compression stroke, the
piston rod 320 and the dampingpiston 340 move further into thedamper cylinder 350, thus displacing a volume of thehydraulic fluid 370 equal to the volume of the additional length of thepiston rod 320 which enters thedamper cylinder 350. As described previously, this results in an upward flow of the displaced volume of hydraulic fluid, accommodated by an upward movement of the floatingpiston 360, which somewhat decreases the volume, and increases the pressure, in the internally-pressurizedchamber 380. However, in order to do so, the displaced volume of hydraulic fluid must first pass through the partition 310. In accordance with the known principles of hydraulic intensifiers, to achieve this, the fluid must create an upward force (pressure) at the lower (small) end of theintensifier piston 450 which is sufficient to overcome the downward force (pressure) at the upper (large) end of theintensifier piston 350. To do so requires a pressure at the lower end of theintensifier piston 450 that is greater than the pressure at the upper end of theintensifier piston 450 by a multiple approximately equal to the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the large end of theintensifier piston 450 to the cross-sectional area of thecompression flow port 440. - For simplicity, it is assumed that the diameter of the small end of the
intensifier piston 450 is only slightly greater than the diameter of thecompression flow port 440. Thus, the annular contact area between these parts is relatively quite small, and it can be said that, for flow through thecompression flow port 440, a pressure is required at the lower end of theintensifier piston 450 that is greater than the pressure at the upper end of theintensifier piston 450 by a multiple approximately equal to the ratio of the area of its large end divided by the area of its small end. - This pressure differential (multiple) between the small end and large end of the
pressure intensifier 450 creates a compression damping effect in the damper. - Here is an example. Assume the diameter of the large end of the
intensifier piston 450 is twice the diameter of the small end, and thus that the ratio of their cross-sectional areas is 4:1. Assume the diameter of thepiston rod 320 is O½″, and thus it has a cross-sectional area of about 0.2 square inches. Assume the dampingpiston 340 has traveled inward into thedamper cylinder 350 some distance (i.e., it is not fully-extended or “topped-out” against the seal head 330), as shown inFIG. 3A . Assume that the pressure of the internally-pressurizedchamber 380 above the floating piston is 100 psi. Assume static conditions, with the dampingpiston 340 not moving. Given these assumptions, and based on elementary principles, there is a uniform pressure of 100 psi throughout the interior of the damper. Furthermore, it can be readily calculated that, under these static conditions, the 100 psi internal pressure acting on the 0.2 square inch cross-sectional area of thepiston rod 320 creates a 20-pound force tending to extend thepiston rod 320. In racing circles, this 20-pound force is sometimes referred to as “static nose force”. - The above described static conditions. Now the compression damping effect produced by the
intensifier piston 450 during a compression stroke (inward movement of the piston rod 320) is described. Per basic principles, for anintensifier piston 450 with a cross-sectional area ratio of 4:1, a pressure of approximately 400 psi at the small end is required to overcome the 100 psi pressure at the large end (which originates from the internally-pressurizedchamber 380 above the floating piston 360), in order to cause theintensifier piston 450 to move upward, thus unblocking thecompression flow port 440 and allowing upward flow of thehydraulic fluid 370 displaced by the inward movement of thepiston rod 320. - For simplicity, it is assumed in the following discussion that the damping
piston 340 has several large thru-holes and no restrictive valving (note that, actually, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally do incorporate restrictive valving on the dampingpiston 340 which does create compression damping forces). In other words, for purposes of clarity in describing the basic principles of the present embodiment, it is assumed here that the dampingpiston 340 itself creates no compression damping forces. Now, the 400psi pressure created at the small end of theintensifier piston 450 acts uniformly throughout all portions ofdamper cylinder 350 below theintensifier piston 450. Acting on the 0.2 square inch cross-sectional area of thepiston rod 320, it creates an 80-pound “dynamic nose force”. The difference between the previous 20-pound “static nose force” and this 80-pound “dynamic nose force” is 60 pounds; this 60 pounds represents the compression damping force produced by the present embodiment. Increasing the diameter and cross-sectional area of thepiston rod 320, of course, would create an even greater damping force. - To further describe the
intensifier piston 450, in terms of an example operational application, in the following it will be assumed that the above compression stroke continues inward for a distance sufficient to move the floatingpiston 360 upward some amount and increase the pressure in the internally-pressurizedchamber 380 from 100 psi to 150 psi. This 150 psi pressure, of course, acts on the large end of theintensifier piston 450 and now approximately 600 psi pressure (basic 4:1 ratio) is required at the small end of theintensifier piston 350 in order for it to remain open, allowing continuation of the compression stroke. With 600 psi now acting on the 0.2 square inch cross-sectional area of the piston rod 320 a 120-pound “dynamic nose force” is now produced. In other words, as the compression stroke continues and the dampingpiston 340 andpiston rod 320 travel further into thedamper cylinder 350, the volume of hydraulic fluid displaced by thepiston rod 320 causes the floatingpiston 360 to move upward, which increases the pressure in the internally-pressurizedchamber 380, which increases the compression damping effect produced by the pressure intensifier damper arrangement, including theintensifier piston 450. - Put another way, the embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,028 produces a “position-sensitive” compression damping effect, with the compression damping force increasing as the
piston rod 320 and the dampingpiston 340 moves further into thedamper cylinder 350. The extent and degree of this position-sensitive effect is influenced by the pre-set volume of the internally-pressurizedchamber 380 above the floatingpiston 360, relative to the diameter and maximum available travel of thepiston rod 320. If the pre-set volume of the internally-pressurizedchamber 380 is relatively large, the position-sensitive effect is reduced. If the pre-set volume is relatively small, the position-sensitive effect is increased. - In one embodiment one or both of the
valves 210, 220 comprise standard shim-type dampers. In one embodiment one or both of thevalves 210, 220 include an adjustable needle for low speed bleed. In one embodiment a blow off (e.g. checking poppet-type or shim) is included in one of the flow paths associated with thevalves 210, 220. - As in other embodiments, the remotely-
operable valve 220 may be solenoid or hydraulically operated or pneumatically operated or operated by any other suitable motive mechanism. The valve may be operated remotely by a switch or potentiometer located in the cockpit of a vehicle or attached to appropriate operational parts of a vehicle for timely activation (e.g. brake pedal) or may be operated in response to input from a microprocessor (e.g. calculating desired settings based on vehicle acceleration sensor data) or any suitable combination of activation means. In like manner, a controller for the adjustable pressure source (or for both the source and the valve) may be cockpit mounted and may be manually adjustable or microprocessor controlled or both or selectively either. - One embodiment comprises a four wheeled vehicle having solenoid valve equipped shock absorbers at each (of four) wheel. The solenoid valve (which in one embodiment is cable operated instead of solenoid operated) of each of the front shock absorbers may be electrically connected with a linear switch (such as that which operates an automotive brake light) that is activated in conjunction with the vehicle brake pedal. When the brake pedal is depressed beyond a certain distance, corresponding usually to harder braking and hence potential for vehicle nose dive, the electric switch connects a power supply to the normally open solenoid in each of the front shocks thereby closing the damping fluid flow paths in those shocks. As such the front shocks become more rigid during hard braking. Other mechanisms may be used to trigger the shocks such as accelerometers (e.g. tri-axial) for sensing pitch and roll of the vehicle and activating, via a microprocessor, the appropriate solenoid valves for optimum vehicle control.
- In one embodiment, a vehicle steering column includes right turn and left turn limit switches such that a hard turn in either direction activates (e.g. closes path 8SA) the solenoid on the shocks opposite that direction (for example a hard right turn would cause more rigid shocks on the vehicle left side). Again, accelerometers in conjunction with a microprocessor and a switched power supply may perform the solenoid activation function by sensing the actual g-force associated with the turn (or braking; or throttle acceleration for the rear shock activation) and triggering the appropriate solenoid(s) at a preset threshold g-force.
- In one embodiment a remotely-
operable valve 220 like the one described above is particularly useful with an on-/off-road vehicle. These vehicles can have as more than 20″ of shock absorber travel to permit them to negotiate rough, uneven terrain at speed with usable shock absorbing function. In off-road applications, compliant dampening is necessary as the vehicle relies on its long travel suspension when encountering often large off-road obstacles. Operating a vehicle with very compliant, long travel suspension on a smooth road at higher speeds can be problematic due to the springiness/sponginess of the suspension and corresponding vehicle handling problems associated with that (e.g. turning roll, braking pitch). Such compliance can cause reduced handling characteristics and even loss of control. Such control issues can be pronounced when cornering at high speed as a compliant, long travel vehicle may tend to roll excessively. Similarly, such a vehicle may pitch and yaw excessively during braking and acceleration. With the remotely-operated bypass dampening and “lock out” described herein, dampening characteristics of a shock absorber can be completely changed from a compliantly dampened “springy” arrangement to a highly dampened and “stiffer” (or fully locked out) system ideal for higher speeds on a smooth road. In one embodiment, where compression flow through thedamper piston 105 is completely blocked, closure of thevalve 220 can result in substantial “lock out” of the suspension (the suspension is rendered essentially rigid except for the movement of fluid through shimmed valve 210). In one embodiment, where some compression flow is allowed through thedamper piston 105 or theannular bypass 150, closure of thevalve 220 results in a stiffer but still functional compression damper. - In addition to, or in lieu of, the simple, switch operated remote arrangement, the remotely-
operable valve 220 can be operated automatically based upon one or more driving conditions such as vehicle speed, damper rod speed, and damper rod position. One embodiment of the arrangement may automatically increase dampening in a shock absorber in the event a damper rod reaches a certain velocity in its travel towards the bottom end of a damper at a predetermined speed of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the damping (and control) increases in the event of rapid operation (e.g. high damper rod velocity) of the damper to avoid a bottoming out of the damper rod as well as a loss of control that can accompany rapid compression of a shock absorber with a relative long amount of travel. In one embodiment, damping increases (e.g. closes or throttles down the bypass) in the event that the damper rod velocity in compression is relatively low but the damper rod progresses past a certain point in the travel. Such configuration aids in stabilizing the vehicle against excessive low-rate suspension movement events such as cornering roll, braking and acceleration yaw and pitch and “g-out.” - While the examples illustrated relate to manual operation and automated operation based upon specific parameters, the remotely-operated valve 220 (with or without valve 210) can be used in a variety of ways with many different driving and road variables. In one example, the
valve 220 is controlled based upon vehicle speed in conjunction with the angular location of the vehicle's steering wheel. In this manner, by sensing the steering wheel turn severity (angle of rotation), additional dampening can be applied to one damper or one set of dampers on one side of the vehicle (suitable for example to mitigate cornering roll) in the event of a sharp turn at a relatively high speed. In another example, a transducer, such as an accelerometer, measures other aspects of the vehicle's suspension system, like axle force and/or moments applied to various parts of the vehicle, like steering tie damper rods, and directs change to the bypass valve positioning in response thereto. In another example, the bypass can be controlled at least in part by a pressure transducer measuring pressure in a vehicle tire and adding dampening characteristics to some or all of the wheels in the event of, for example, an increased or decreased pressure reading. In one embodiment, the damper bypass or bypasses are controlled in response to braking pressure (as measured, for example, by a brake pedal sensor or brake fluid pressure sensor or accelerometer). In still another example, a parameter might include a gyroscopic mechanism that monitors vehicle trajectory and identifies a “spin-out” or other loss of control condition and adds and/or reduces dampening to some or all of the vehicle's dampers in the event of a loss of control to help the operator of the vehicle to regain control. - While the foregoing is directed to certain embodiments, other and further embodiments may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present technology, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims (6)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/418,322 US10556477B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2017-01-27 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US16/786,316 US11279199B2 (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2020-02-10 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US17/696,691 US11760150B2 (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2022-03-16 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
Applications Claiming Priority (12)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14315209P | 2009-01-07 | 2009-01-07 | |
US12/684,072 US20100170760A1 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2010-01-07 | Remotely Operated Bypass for a Suspension Damper |
US29682610P | 2010-01-20 | 2010-01-20 | |
US36112710P | 2010-07-02 | 2010-07-02 | |
US36687110P | 2010-07-22 | 2010-07-22 | |
US38190610P | 2010-09-10 | 2010-09-10 | |
US13/010,697 US8857580B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2011-01-20 | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US13/175,244 US8627932B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2011-07-01 | Bypass for a suspension damper |
US13/189,216 US9239090B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2011-07-22 | Suspension damper with remotely-operable valve |
US201261590577P | 2012-01-25 | 2012-01-25 | |
US13/750,336 US9556925B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2013-01-25 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US15/418,322 US10556477B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2017-01-27 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/750,336 Continuation-In-Part US9556925B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2013-01-25 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US13/750,336 Continuation US9556925B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2013-01-25 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/786,316 Continuation US11279199B2 (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2020-02-10 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US16/786,316 Continuation-In-Part US11279199B2 (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2020-02-10 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170136843A1 true US20170136843A1 (en) | 2017-05-18 |
US10556477B2 US10556477B2 (en) | 2020-02-11 |
Family
ID=70971495
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/750,336 Active 2033-06-12 US9556925B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2013-01-25 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US15/418,322 Active US10556477B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2017-01-27 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/750,336 Active 2033-06-12 US9556925B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2013-01-25 | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US9556925B2 (en) |
Cited By (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160161944A1 (en) * | 2014-12-05 | 2016-06-09 | Charles A. Leonard | Vehicle leveling systems, devices and methods and computer program products for leveling vehicles using smart devices |
US10036443B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2018-07-31 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment |
US10040329B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-08-07 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10047817B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-08-14 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10060499B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-08-28 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10072724B2 (en) | 2008-08-25 | 2018-09-11 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension lock out and signal generation |
US10086670B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2018-10-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension set up |
US10094443B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-10-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Bypass for a suspension damper |
US10160511B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-12-25 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10330171B2 (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2019-06-25 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10400847B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-09-03 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Compression isolator for a suspension damper |
US10406883B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2019-09-10 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper |
US10415662B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-09-17 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US10443671B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-10-15 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US10591015B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2020-03-17 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment |
US10677309B2 (en) | 2011-05-31 | 2020-06-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for position sensitive suspension damping |
US10697514B2 (en) | 2010-01-20 | 2020-06-30 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US10731724B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2020-08-04 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension system |
US10737546B2 (en) | 2016-04-08 | 2020-08-11 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Electronic compression and rebound control |
US10821795B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-11-03 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11021204B2 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2021-06-01 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Seat post |
US11279199B2 (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2022-03-22 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US11299233B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2022-04-12 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11306798B2 (en) | 2008-05-09 | 2022-04-19 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Position sensitive suspension damping with an active valve |
US11413924B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2022-08-16 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for selective spring pre-load adjustment |
US20230226873A1 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2023-07-20 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Mechanical bypass of a valve body |
US11866110B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2024-01-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Lever assembly for positive lock adjustable seat post |
US12005755B2 (en) | 2022-03-17 | 2024-06-11 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper |
Families Citing this family (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9556925B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2017-01-31 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
GB0919682D0 (en) * | 2009-11-11 | 2009-12-23 | Hi Lex Cable System Company Ltd | Damper |
EP2858840A4 (en) * | 2012-06-08 | 2016-01-13 | Msi Defense Solutions Llc | An electronically adjustable damper and system |
DE102013016078A1 (en) * | 2013-09-27 | 2015-04-02 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Spring-damper system for use in bearings or as a damper |
EP3488121B1 (en) | 2016-07-20 | 2022-03-02 | Elka Suspension Inc. | Position-relative damper assist system |
US11221083B2 (en) * | 2017-07-28 | 2022-01-11 | Dezurik, Inc. | Surge relief valve |
USD862329S1 (en) * | 2017-08-01 | 2019-10-08 | RB Distribution, Inc. | Shift cable bushing |
US11085502B2 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2021-08-10 | Qa1 Precision Products, Inc. | Bleed needle for a hydraulic system |
USD866408S1 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2019-11-12 | Qa1 Precision Products, Inc. | Shock absorber |
USD869259S1 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2019-12-10 | Qa1 Precision Products, Inc. | Valve component |
US11105390B2 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2021-08-31 | Qa1 Precision Products, Inc. | Shock absorber with dry valving |
USD872837S1 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2020-01-14 | Qa1 Precision Products, Inc. | Bleed needle |
US10981429B2 (en) | 2017-09-29 | 2021-04-20 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Electronically controlled sway bar damping link |
US11009093B2 (en) * | 2017-10-16 | 2021-05-18 | Suspension Direct, Inc. | Electronically adjustable shock absorber |
KR102369807B1 (en) * | 2017-12-01 | 2022-03-04 | 한화디펜스 주식회사 | Suspension apparatus and special vehicle having the same |
US11454291B2 (en) * | 2018-12-28 | 2022-09-27 | Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. | Damper with control valves |
US11434968B2 (en) * | 2019-02-25 | 2022-09-06 | Mark Brendan Newhan | Vehicle shock absorber |
DE102019211502B4 (en) * | 2019-08-01 | 2022-03-17 | Audi Ag | Spring-damper device for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, and vehicle with at least one such spring-damper device |
US11529835B2 (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2022-12-20 | Off-Road Research LLC | Electronically controlled external damper reservoir |
US11724769B2 (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2023-08-15 | Sram, Llc | Bicycle suspension components and electronic control devices |
US11618296B2 (en) * | 2020-01-22 | 2023-04-04 | Shock Therapy Suspension, Inc. | Shock stiffener system |
US11279194B2 (en) * | 2020-04-02 | 2022-03-22 | Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Of America Inc. | Damper with reservoir |
US11946526B2 (en) | 2020-11-26 | 2024-04-02 | Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. | Shock absorber for a vehicle |
US11634003B2 (en) | 2020-12-17 | 2023-04-25 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Automated control system for an electronically controlled sway bar link |
Citations (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3621950A (en) * | 1968-08-08 | 1971-11-23 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | Shock absorber including valved bypass |
US4153237A (en) * | 1976-11-01 | 1979-05-08 | Supalla Steven A | Hydrapneumatic suspension unit and valving structure |
US4546959A (en) * | 1980-07-10 | 1985-10-15 | Showa Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Shock absorber having adjustable damping means including an auxiliary oil tank |
US4572317A (en) * | 1982-11-01 | 1986-02-25 | Honda Giken Kogyo K.K. | Position control system for the body of a vehicle |
US4958706A (en) * | 1988-11-14 | 1990-09-25 | Richardson Donald G | Adjustable shock absorbers |
US4972928A (en) * | 1987-07-21 | 1990-11-27 | Sirven Jacques M M | Hydraulic damper with variable operating characteristics |
US5957252A (en) * | 1996-08-02 | 1999-09-28 | Berthold; Brian D. | Hydraulic suspension unit |
US6296092B1 (en) * | 1998-10-28 | 2001-10-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Position-sensitive shock absorber |
US6604751B2 (en) * | 2001-08-30 | 2003-08-12 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Inertia valve shock absorber |
US6722678B2 (en) * | 1999-04-06 | 2004-04-20 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle damping enhancement system |
US7374028B2 (en) * | 2003-07-08 | 2008-05-20 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Damper with pressure-sensitive compression damping |
US20090000885A1 (en) * | 2006-08-07 | 2009-01-01 | Mcandrews Michael | Bicycle damper |
US20090277736A1 (en) * | 2008-05-09 | 2009-11-12 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle damper |
US20110067965A1 (en) * | 2009-09-18 | 2011-03-24 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle shock absorber with slidable inertia mass |
US7975814B2 (en) * | 2005-08-19 | 2011-07-12 | Ohlins Racing Ab | Method for arranging a separating piston in a cavity and a device with such a separating piston |
US20120018263A1 (en) * | 2009-01-07 | 2012-01-26 | John Marking | Suspension damper with remotely-operable valve |
US20120222927A1 (en) * | 2011-03-03 | 2012-09-06 | John Marking | Cooler for a suspension damper |
Family Cites Families (193)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1575973A (en) | 1926-03-09 | Shock absorber | ||
US1492731A (en) | 1922-12-14 | 1924-05-06 | Kerr Benjamin | Shock absorber |
US2018312A (en) | 1930-08-20 | 1935-10-22 | Rollin H Moulton | Shock absorber |
US2186266A (en) | 1936-08-20 | 1940-01-09 | Onions John Henry | Shock absorber for aircraft |
US2588520A (en) | 1946-10-12 | 1952-03-11 | Minneapolis Moline Co | Hydraulically operated check valve mechanism |
US2492331A (en) | 1947-03-27 | 1949-12-27 | Spring Russell Mason | Shock absorber valve regulator |
US2729308A (en) * | 1952-01-05 | 1956-01-03 | Gabriel Co | Multiple stage shock absorber |
US2725076A (en) | 1953-07-03 | 1955-11-29 | Crane Co | Guided closure unit for check valves and the like |
FR1115781A (en) | 1954-12-06 | 1956-04-30 | Applic Mach Motrices | Back pressure valve |
US2838140A (en) | 1955-11-03 | 1958-06-10 | Marlin B Rasmusson | Hydraulic dash-pot controller for an actuator |
US2897613A (en) | 1956-04-25 | 1959-08-04 | Int Harvester Co | Hydraulic carrying-lock for earth-working scrapers |
US2991804A (en) | 1959-05-27 | 1961-07-11 | Gen Motors Corp | Air suspension and control apparatus therefor |
FR1327917A (en) * | 1962-04-13 | 1963-05-24 | Pneumatic device allowing in particular the modification of the characteristics of vehicle suspensions | |
US3286797A (en) | 1964-06-29 | 1966-11-22 | Parker Hannifin Corp | Hydraulic control unit |
US3420493A (en) | 1965-12-13 | 1969-01-07 | Wilbur P Kraft | Combination metering,check and shut-off valve |
US3537722A (en) | 1967-06-22 | 1970-11-03 | Moulton Development Ltd | Suspension systems |
US3556137A (en) | 1969-05-15 | 1971-01-19 | Sloan Valve Co | Control valves |
US3605960A (en) | 1969-05-27 | 1971-09-20 | Jerome R Singer | Automatically adjustable shock absorbers |
US3584331A (en) | 1969-06-13 | 1971-06-15 | Rixson Inc | Hydraulic door checking mechanism |
US3714953A (en) | 1971-10-20 | 1973-02-06 | Nat Water Blast Inc | Pressure relief valve |
US3750856A (en) | 1971-12-09 | 1973-08-07 | G Kenworthy | Adjustable, pressure compensating shock absorber/buffer |
US3791408A (en) | 1972-05-31 | 1974-02-12 | Yuken Kogyo Co Ltd | Electromagnetic pressure-telecontrolling valve |
US3981479A (en) | 1974-06-14 | 1976-09-21 | Snap-Tite, Inc. | Check valve |
US4072087A (en) | 1975-09-17 | 1978-02-07 | Caterpillar Tractor Co. | Digital positioner for remote actuation of a control valve |
US4022113A (en) | 1975-12-10 | 1977-05-10 | Blatt Leland F | Flow control valve |
US4121610A (en) | 1976-02-02 | 1978-10-24 | Ambac Industries Incorporated | Electrically operated proportional flow control hydraulic valve and manually operable remote control device therefor |
US4192346A (en) | 1976-08-25 | 1980-03-11 | Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Control valve |
NL163606C (en) | 1976-11-26 | 1980-09-15 | Itt | LOCKABLE HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER. |
JPS53117170A (en) | 1977-03-22 | 1978-10-13 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Regulator of damping force changing mechanism for rolling stock |
US4159106A (en) | 1977-11-10 | 1979-06-26 | Nyman Bengt E | Vehicular suspension unit |
JPS5822424Y2 (en) | 1978-02-06 | 1983-05-13 | トキコ株式会社 | hydraulic shock absorber |
US4174098A (en) | 1978-07-03 | 1979-11-13 | Ace Controls, Inc. | Shock absorber and mounting means therefor |
FR2529002A2 (en) | 1979-10-10 | 1983-12-23 | Laporte Yves | Autonomous multi-facet road sign with remote control - uses photo-voltaic cell array to provide energy for rechargeable battery driving motor which can act directly or pressurise fluid |
US4305566A (en) | 1979-10-31 | 1981-12-15 | Fluid Controls, Inc. | Fluid control valve |
US4333668A (en) | 1979-12-17 | 1982-06-08 | The Bendix Corporation | Electronic adaptive ride control system |
US4334711A (en) | 1980-10-27 | 1982-06-15 | American Standard Inc. | System for automatically delaying application of a snow brake for a railway vehicle |
US4502673A (en) | 1982-02-11 | 1985-03-05 | Applied Power Inc. | Integral shock absorber and spring assembly |
US4620619A (en) | 1982-05-20 | 1986-11-04 | Atsugi Motor Parts Co., Ltd. | Variable-damping-force shock absorber |
DE3315222A1 (en) | 1983-04-27 | 1984-10-31 | Mannesmann Rexroth GmbH, 8770 Lohr | ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED PRESSURE LIMIT VALVE WITH HYDRAULIC SPRING PRELOAD |
US4491207A (en) | 1983-07-15 | 1985-01-01 | Lord Corporation | Fluid control means for vehicle suspension system |
US4729459A (en) | 1984-10-01 | 1988-03-08 | Nippon Soken, Inc. | Adjustable damping force type shock absorber |
JPS61156743U (en) | 1985-03-22 | 1986-09-29 | ||
JPS61287808A (en) | 1985-06-14 | 1986-12-18 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Suspension control device for vehicle |
DE3523628A1 (en) | 1985-07-02 | 1987-01-15 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | VALVE SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLABLE, HYDRAULIC VIBRATION DAMPERS |
DE3610937A1 (en) | 1986-04-02 | 1987-10-08 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | DEVICE FOR DAMPING MOTION PROCESSES |
GB8610842D0 (en) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-06-11 | Bl Tech Ltd | Suspension system |
US5657840A (en) | 1986-06-05 | 1997-08-19 | Lizell; Magnus B. | Method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock |
JPS62299418A (en) | 1986-06-20 | 1987-12-26 | Tokico Ltd | Suspension controller for vehicle |
US4750735A (en) | 1986-10-09 | 1988-06-14 | M & R Industries, Inc. | Adjustable hydraulic load-resisting mechanisms for exercise machines |
JPH0725251B2 (en) | 1987-01-16 | 1995-03-22 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Related suspension device |
DE3709447A1 (en) | 1987-03-23 | 1988-10-13 | Bilstein August Gmbh Co Kg | Controllable shock absorber, particularly for motor vehicles |
DE3711442A1 (en) | 1987-04-04 | 1988-10-20 | Boge Ag | Hydraulic, adjustable vibration damper |
US4838306A (en) | 1987-08-10 | 1989-06-13 | Aladdin Engineering & Mfg., Inc. | Pneumatic locking valve with manual override |
US4846317A (en) | 1987-08-25 | 1989-07-11 | Trw Inc. | Strut with controlled variable damping rate |
JPH0193637A (en) | 1987-10-05 | 1989-04-12 | Nhk Spring Co Ltd | Suspension for vehicle |
JP2824577B2 (en) | 1987-10-20 | 1998-11-11 | トキコ株式会社 | Shock absorber |
DE3738048C2 (en) | 1987-11-09 | 1996-09-26 | Rexroth Mannesmann Gmbh | Device for damping the natural movements of the masses of a linear dual mass oscillator |
US4949989A (en) | 1988-04-19 | 1990-08-21 | Atsugi Motor Parts Co., Ltd. | Automotive suspension system with variable suspension characteristics and variable damping force shock absorber therefor |
US4919166A (en) | 1988-07-05 | 1990-04-24 | Sims Anthony M | Two-way flow valve |
DE3925470C2 (en) | 1988-08-02 | 1996-04-18 | Atsugi Motor Parts Co Ltd | Shock absorbers with a damping valve construction with a variable damping characteristic within a wide range |
US4838394A (en) | 1988-09-06 | 1989-06-13 | Lemme Charles D | Adjustable shock absorber and system |
US5277283A (en) | 1988-09-19 | 1994-01-11 | Atsugi Unisia Corporation | Variable damping-characteristics shock absorber with adjustable orifice construction variable of fluid flow restriction depending upon fluid pressure difference |
US5161653A (en) | 1989-04-18 | 1992-11-10 | Hare Sr Nicholas S | Electro-rheological shock absorber |
US4936424A (en) | 1989-05-09 | 1990-06-26 | Costa Vince F | Hydraulic shock absorber with pressure sensitive external valving |
SE462726B (en) | 1989-06-02 | 1990-08-20 | Stromsholmens Mek Verkstad | DEVICE BY A GAS SPRING |
DE3924166C1 (en) | 1989-07-21 | 1991-02-28 | Boge Ag, 5208 Eitorf, De | Hydraulic vibration damper with valved piston - has changeover control rod with several surface recesses with different widths |
DE3931857A1 (en) | 1989-09-23 | 1991-04-04 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | DAMPING SYSTEM |
DE4007360A1 (en) | 1990-03-08 | 1991-09-12 | Daimler Benz Ag | METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING BRAKE PRESSURE ON THE AXLES OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH ABS PRESSURE BRAKE |
KR940010682B1 (en) | 1990-04-17 | 1994-10-24 | 마쯔다 가부시기가이샤 | Car suspension device |
DE4028447A1 (en) | 1990-09-07 | 1992-03-12 | Teves Gmbh Alfred | ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE FOR HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS WITH SLIP CONTROL |
US5113980A (en) | 1990-09-11 | 1992-05-19 | Hyrad Corporation | Quick response adjustable shock absorber and system |
DE4029090A1 (en) | 1990-09-13 | 1992-03-19 | Hilti Ag | Sound damping pipe-clip insert - has portion on protrusion towards pipe allowing slide movement |
US5178242A (en) | 1990-11-19 | 1993-01-12 | Atsugi Unisia Corporation | Hydraulic damper |
JPH04203540A (en) | 1990-11-29 | 1992-07-24 | Mazda Motor Corp | Damping force adjusting type hydraulic buffer |
DE4104110A1 (en) | 1991-02-11 | 1992-08-13 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | PRE-CONTROLLED DAMPING VALVE WITH VIBRATION DAMPER-RIGHT CHARACTERISTICS |
DE4105771A1 (en) | 1991-02-23 | 1992-08-27 | Boge Ag | Hydraulic adjustable vibration damper for vehicle - involves controlling pressure forces in damping valve |
US5230364A (en) | 1991-04-06 | 1993-07-27 | Vickers, Incorporated | Pressure relief valve |
US5307907A (en) | 1991-06-11 | 1994-05-03 | Atsugi Unisia Corporation | Hydraulic damper |
US5207774A (en) | 1991-11-27 | 1993-05-04 | Lord Corporation | Valving for a controllable shock absorber |
JP3060078B2 (en) | 1991-11-30 | 2000-07-04 | トキコ株式会社 | Damping force adjustable hydraulic shock absorber |
DE4203508A1 (en) * | 1992-02-07 | 1993-08-12 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | ROTARY VALVE FOR A VIBRATION DAMPER WITH ADJUSTABLE DAMPING FORCE |
DE4208886A1 (en) | 1992-03-19 | 1993-09-23 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | DAMPING FORCE CHANGEABLE VIBRATION DAMPER WITH EMERGENCY OPERATION ADJUSTMENT |
US5259487A (en) | 1992-07-14 | 1993-11-09 | The Lubrizol Corporation | Adjustable dampers using electrorheological fluids |
US5651433A (en) | 1992-07-15 | 1997-07-29 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | Fluid operated oscillation damper |
US5328004A (en) | 1992-08-21 | 1994-07-12 | General Motors Corporation | Bypass valve assembly for a hydraulic damper |
DE4333723C2 (en) * | 1992-09-29 | 1998-01-22 | Showa Corp | Hydraulic vibration damper |
JP3131049B2 (en) | 1992-09-30 | 2001-01-31 | マツダ株式会社 | Vehicle suspension device |
DE4406918C2 (en) | 1993-03-18 | 1995-11-02 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | Damping valve device |
US5699885A (en) | 1993-03-18 | 1997-12-23 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | Vibration damper with adjustable damping force |
US6058340A (en) | 1993-12-28 | 2000-05-02 | Tokico Ltd. | Suspension control apparatus |
DE19514844A1 (en) | 1994-05-02 | 1995-11-09 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | Vehicle suspension damper control system with single acceleration sensor |
US6293530B1 (en) | 1995-01-10 | 2001-09-25 | Liquidspring Technologies, Inc. | Compressible liquid vibration control system |
US5597180A (en) | 1994-08-15 | 1997-01-28 | Ganzel; Blaise J. | Vehicle roll control apparatus |
SE512020C2 (en) | 1995-05-18 | 2000-01-17 | Oehlins Racing Ab | Device for shock absorbers |
US5588510A (en) | 1995-09-25 | 1996-12-31 | Husco International, Inc. | Variable damping force shock absorber |
DE19615737A1 (en) | 1996-04-20 | 1997-10-16 | Daimler Benz Ag | Active suspension system |
US5813731A (en) | 1996-06-17 | 1998-09-29 | Hhb Limited, L.L.C. | Hydraulic parking brake system for railway vehicles |
DE19624898C2 (en) | 1996-06-21 | 1998-07-02 | Mannesmann Sachs Ag | Damping valve with variable damping force |
JP2975572B2 (en) | 1996-06-21 | 1999-11-10 | マンネスマン ザックス アクチエンゲゼルシャフト | Vibration damper with variable damping force |
FR2751713B1 (en) | 1996-07-24 | 1998-09-18 | Donerre Amortisseur Soc | OIL SHOCK ABSORBER SYSTEM |
DE19633736A1 (en) | 1996-08-21 | 1998-02-26 | Teves Gmbh Alfred | Automatically activated brake system |
JPH1067215A (en) | 1996-08-29 | 1998-03-10 | Toyota Motor Corp | Control device for damping force generating system |
JP3687020B2 (en) | 1997-03-18 | 2005-08-24 | 株式会社日立製作所 | PWM proportional solenoid valve controller |
JPH10278529A (en) | 1997-04-08 | 1998-10-20 | Unisia Jecs Corp | Suspension device for vehicle |
US5996746A (en) | 1997-07-03 | 1999-12-07 | Rockshox, Inc. | Adjustable twin tube shock absorber |
US6193029B1 (en) | 1997-07-08 | 2001-02-27 | Active Control Experts, Inc. | Damper and valve |
US6073536A (en) | 1998-03-02 | 2000-06-13 | Campbell; A. Keith | Automotive hydraulic system and method for driving a hydraulic accessory in parallel with a power steering unit |
US5992450A (en) | 1998-06-30 | 1999-11-30 | Eaton Corporation | Cartridge valve having solenoid bypass and integral relief valve |
WO2000027658A1 (en) | 1998-11-11 | 2000-05-18 | Kenmar Company Trust | Suspension control unit and control valve |
DE19904901A1 (en) | 1999-02-06 | 2000-08-10 | Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen | Proportional pressure control valve |
KR100333435B1 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2002-04-25 | 다가야 레이지 | Damping force control type hydraulic shock absorber |
US6318525B1 (en) | 1999-05-07 | 2001-11-20 | Marzocchi, S.P.A. | Shock absorber with improved damping |
US6254067B1 (en) | 1999-08-02 | 2001-07-03 | Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Fluid regulating device for use with a hydraulic cylinder to obtain a variable shock absorbing effect |
US6401883B1 (en) | 1999-09-22 | 2002-06-11 | Mts Systems Corporation | Vehicle suspension strut having a continuous position sensor |
US6322468B1 (en) | 1999-11-17 | 2001-11-27 | Borgwarner Inc. | Pressure relief valve and dual path vent disc for hydraulic tensioner |
GB0004649D0 (en) | 2000-02-29 | 2000-04-19 | Gkn Westland Helicopters Ltd | Vibration damping apparatus |
JP4587089B2 (en) | 2000-05-31 | 2010-11-24 | 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 | Damping force adjustable hydraulic shock absorber |
JP4547793B2 (en) | 2000-11-17 | 2010-09-22 | 株式会社アドヴィックス | Vehicle motion control device |
US6527093B2 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2003-03-04 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Pressure controlled suspension damper |
US20020121416A1 (en) | 2001-02-19 | 2002-09-05 | Yohei Katayama | Hydraulic cylinder apparatus |
EP1241087B1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2006-05-31 | Shimano Inc. | Bicycle suspension |
US7234680B2 (en) | 2001-05-31 | 2007-06-26 | Wendell Hull | Combination valve and regulator with vented seat for use with pressurized gas cylinders, particularly oxygen cylinders |
US6592136B2 (en) | 2001-07-02 | 2003-07-15 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Bicycle fork cartridge assembly |
US6659241B2 (en) | 2001-08-22 | 2003-12-09 | Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, Llc | Shock absorber compression damping adjustment |
US7128192B2 (en) | 2001-08-30 | 2006-10-31 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Inertia valve shock absorber |
US7273137B2 (en) | 2001-08-30 | 2007-09-25 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Inertia valve shock absorber |
US6648109B2 (en) | 2001-09-13 | 2003-11-18 | Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, Llc | Adjustable shock absorber |
EP1523714A4 (en) | 2002-01-11 | 2009-04-22 | Active Shock Inc | Semi-active shock absorber control system |
US6978872B2 (en) * | 2002-05-29 | 2005-12-27 | Progressive Suspension Inc. | Hydraulic dampers with pressure regulated control valve |
US7134447B2 (en) | 2002-11-22 | 2006-11-14 | Victor Equipment Company | Gas pressure regulator |
US6966412B2 (en) | 2003-02-24 | 2005-11-22 | Arctic Cat Inc. | Position-sensitive shock absorber |
US6978871B2 (en) | 2003-09-17 | 2005-12-27 | Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. | Adjustable damper with control valve, mounted in an external collar |
US7441640B2 (en) | 2003-10-08 | 2008-10-28 | Peter Russell | Shock absorber apparatus |
KR100670631B1 (en) | 2003-10-16 | 2007-01-17 | 미츠비시 후소 트럭 앤드 버스 코포레이션 | Vehicle height control apparatus |
US20050173849A1 (en) | 2004-02-10 | 2005-08-11 | Bart Vandewal | Electronically controlled frequency dependent damping |
US7097014B2 (en) | 2004-06-04 | 2006-08-29 | Tan-Cheng Huang | Shock absorber |
EP1623856B1 (en) | 2004-08-06 | 2012-02-22 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Suspension control system |
US7216747B2 (en) | 2004-10-14 | 2007-05-15 | Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. | Amplitude controlled orifice valving |
CN101103322B (en) | 2004-11-03 | 2011-06-08 | 第四层联合公司 | Electrically controlled pressure relief valve |
US7325660B2 (en) | 2004-11-08 | 2008-02-05 | Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Of America, Inc. | Fluid flow regulation of a vehicle shock absorber/damper |
US7628259B2 (en) | 2004-11-08 | 2009-12-08 | Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Of America, Inc. | Fluid flow regulation of a vehicle shock absorber/damper |
JP4630760B2 (en) | 2004-11-30 | 2011-02-09 | カヤバ工業株式会社 | Valves and shock absorbers |
US7441638B2 (en) * | 2004-12-09 | 2008-10-28 | Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd. | Front fork |
US7401680B2 (en) | 2004-12-23 | 2008-07-22 | Phonak Ag | Hearing protection earplug and use of the same |
WO2006081533A2 (en) | 2005-01-27 | 2006-08-03 | Duane Coenen | Hydraulic vehicle jack system |
KR101068988B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2011-09-30 | 주식회사 만도 | Air suspension and electronically controled suspension system |
US7397355B2 (en) | 2005-05-14 | 2008-07-08 | Randy Lee Tracy | Reversibly mountable acceleration/de-acceleration warning light |
DE102005027780A1 (en) | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Schultz, Wolfgang E., Dipl.-Ing. | Electromagnet with path converter |
US7779974B2 (en) | 2005-08-22 | 2010-08-24 | Technology Investments Limited | Vehicle suspension spring system |
DE102005048949B3 (en) | 2005-10-13 | 2006-12-14 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Vibration damper, has rate dependant closing damping valve connected upstream in relation to flow of damping unit to adjustable damping valve, where closing valve moves based on flow rate of damping medium |
US7286919B2 (en) | 2005-10-17 | 2007-10-23 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling damping of a vehicle suspension |
KR101130288B1 (en) | 2006-01-18 | 2012-03-26 | 주식회사 만도 | Electronically controled suspension system and method for controlling anti-squat using the same |
JP4953281B2 (en) | 2006-05-15 | 2012-06-13 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Suspension system |
JP4972361B2 (en) | 2006-08-07 | 2012-07-11 | カヤバ工業株式会社 | Rotary valve |
JP4199273B2 (en) | 2006-08-29 | 2008-12-17 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Vehicle state estimation device |
DE102007023716A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 | 2008-05-08 | Continental Teves Ag & Co. Ohg | Proportional control valve |
JP2008190691A (en) | 2007-02-07 | 2008-08-21 | Hitachi Ltd | Hydraulic shock absorber |
US7946163B2 (en) | 2007-04-02 | 2011-05-24 | Penske Racing Shocks | Methods and apparatus for developing a vehicle suspension |
US20090001684A1 (en) | 2007-06-29 | 2009-01-01 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle suspension assembly |
NO327011B1 (en) | 2007-07-18 | 2009-04-06 | Eab Engineering As | Shock |
US7878311B2 (en) | 2007-07-19 | 2011-02-01 | Husco Automotive Holdings, LLC | Piston with an integral electrically operated adjustment valve for a hydraulic vibration damper |
FR2921893B1 (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2011-03-25 | Dominique Crasset | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION DAMPER DEVICE |
SE532590C2 (en) | 2007-11-09 | 2010-03-02 | Bae Systems Haegglunds Ab | Suspension device and method of suspension and / or damping of vehicles |
US20100010709A1 (en) | 2008-01-24 | 2010-01-14 | Cannondale Bicycle Corporation | Bicycle distributed computing arrangement and method of operation |
US8627932B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2014-01-14 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Bypass for a suspension damper |
US8857580B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2014-10-14 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US9452654B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2016-09-27 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US20100170760A1 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2010-07-08 | John Marking | Remotely Operated Bypass for a Suspension Damper |
US9033122B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2015-05-19 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US20120305350A1 (en) | 2011-05-31 | 2012-12-06 | Ericksen Everet O | Methods and apparatus for position sensitive suspension damping |
US10060499B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-08-28 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US7654369B2 (en) | 2008-05-20 | 2010-02-02 | Husco International, Inc. | Hydraulic vibration damper piston with an integral electrically operated adjustment valve |
US7722069B2 (en) | 2008-06-06 | 2010-05-25 | Shimano Inc. | Bicycle suspension system |
GB2461892A (en) | 2008-07-16 | 2010-01-20 | Univ Sheffield | A damper for a mountain bike |
US8262058B2 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2012-09-11 | Kot Norbert J | Balanced pilot operated check valve |
US7988173B2 (en) | 2008-09-05 | 2011-08-02 | Sram, Llc | Bicycle suspension system |
US20100109277A1 (en) | 2008-11-06 | 2010-05-06 | Furrer Fredrick J | Adjustable Monotube Shock Absorber |
US9556925B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2017-01-31 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US9038791B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2015-05-26 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Compression isolator for a suspension damper |
EP3543045B1 (en) | 2009-05-04 | 2021-06-16 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension system for a vehicle |
US8291889B2 (en) | 2009-05-07 | 2012-10-23 | Caterpillar Inc. | Pressure control in low static leak fuel system |
NL2003571C2 (en) | 2009-09-29 | 2011-03-30 | Koni Bv | ADJUSTABLE DAMPER. |
US8672106B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2014-03-18 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Self-regulating suspension |
CN102630283B (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2014-05-14 | 北京京西重工有限公司 | Dual spring variable valving system |
US10697514B2 (en) | 2010-01-20 | 2020-06-30 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US8622180B2 (en) | 2010-01-20 | 2014-01-07 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for variable damping adjuster |
ES2669943T3 (en) | 2010-02-05 | 2018-05-29 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Apparatus for suspension adjustment |
DE102010029180A1 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2011-11-24 | Suspa Gmbh | damper |
US8820495B2 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2014-09-02 | King Shock Technology, Inc. | Adjustable internal bypass shock absorber featuring a fluid flow regulator |
EP2410203B1 (en) | 2010-07-22 | 2020-02-12 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension Damper with Remotely-Operable Valve |
US8458080B2 (en) | 2011-03-30 | 2013-06-04 | Shimano Inc. | Bicycle suspension control apparatus |
JP5748266B2 (en) * | 2011-03-30 | 2015-07-15 | 株式会社ショーワ | Hydraulic shock absorber |
EP2848582A1 (en) | 2013-09-12 | 2015-03-18 | Micro Matic A/S | A safety relief valve |
-
2013
- 2013-01-25 US US13/750,336 patent/US9556925B2/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-01-27 US US15/418,322 patent/US10556477B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3621950A (en) * | 1968-08-08 | 1971-11-23 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | Shock absorber including valved bypass |
US4153237A (en) * | 1976-11-01 | 1979-05-08 | Supalla Steven A | Hydrapneumatic suspension unit and valving structure |
US4546959A (en) * | 1980-07-10 | 1985-10-15 | Showa Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Shock absorber having adjustable damping means including an auxiliary oil tank |
US4572317A (en) * | 1982-11-01 | 1986-02-25 | Honda Giken Kogyo K.K. | Position control system for the body of a vehicle |
US4972928A (en) * | 1987-07-21 | 1990-11-27 | Sirven Jacques M M | Hydraulic damper with variable operating characteristics |
US4958706A (en) * | 1988-11-14 | 1990-09-25 | Richardson Donald G | Adjustable shock absorbers |
US5957252A (en) * | 1996-08-02 | 1999-09-28 | Berthold; Brian D. | Hydraulic suspension unit |
US6296092B1 (en) * | 1998-10-28 | 2001-10-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Position-sensitive shock absorber |
US6722678B2 (en) * | 1999-04-06 | 2004-04-20 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle damping enhancement system |
US6604751B2 (en) * | 2001-08-30 | 2003-08-12 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Inertia valve shock absorber |
US7374028B2 (en) * | 2003-07-08 | 2008-05-20 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Damper with pressure-sensitive compression damping |
US7975814B2 (en) * | 2005-08-19 | 2011-07-12 | Ohlins Racing Ab | Method for arranging a separating piston in a cavity and a device with such a separating piston |
US20090000885A1 (en) * | 2006-08-07 | 2009-01-01 | Mcandrews Michael | Bicycle damper |
US20090277736A1 (en) * | 2008-05-09 | 2009-11-12 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle damper |
US20120018263A1 (en) * | 2009-01-07 | 2012-01-26 | John Marking | Suspension damper with remotely-operable valve |
US20110067965A1 (en) * | 2009-09-18 | 2011-03-24 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle shock absorber with slidable inertia mass |
US20120222927A1 (en) * | 2011-03-03 | 2012-09-06 | John Marking | Cooler for a suspension damper |
Cited By (64)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11306798B2 (en) | 2008-05-09 | 2022-04-19 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Position sensitive suspension damping with an active valve |
US10550909B2 (en) | 2008-08-25 | 2020-02-04 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension lock out and signal generation |
US11162555B2 (en) | 2008-08-25 | 2021-11-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension lock out and signal generation |
US10072724B2 (en) | 2008-08-25 | 2018-09-11 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension lock out and signal generation |
US11897571B2 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2024-02-13 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Seat post |
US11021204B2 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2021-06-01 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Seat post |
US10443671B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-10-15 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US11660924B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2023-05-30 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11173765B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2021-11-16 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11976706B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2024-05-07 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US11519477B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2022-12-06 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Compression isolator for a suspension damper |
US10336148B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-07-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10400847B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-09-03 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Compression isolator for a suspension damper |
US11408482B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2022-08-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Bypass for a suspension damper |
US10415662B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-09-17 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US11890908B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2024-02-06 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10040329B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-08-07 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11299233B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2022-04-12 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10670106B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-06-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11866120B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2024-01-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11794543B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2023-10-24 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10723409B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-07-28 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10094443B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-10-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Bypass for a suspension damper |
US11499601B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2022-11-15 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US11549565B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2023-01-10 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10781879B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-09-22 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Bypass for a suspension damper |
US10800220B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-10-13 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10807433B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-10-20 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10814689B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-10-27 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10821795B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2020-11-03 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10336149B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2019-07-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10060499B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-08-28 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10047817B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-08-14 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11168758B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2021-11-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10160511B2 (en) | 2009-01-07 | 2018-12-25 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11619278B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2023-04-04 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment |
US11655873B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2023-05-23 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment |
US10591015B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2020-03-17 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment |
US10086670B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2018-10-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension set up |
US10036443B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2018-07-31 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment |
US11413924B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2022-08-16 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for selective spring pre-load adjustment |
US11920655B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2024-03-05 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment |
US10731724B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2020-08-04 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension system |
US11279198B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2022-03-22 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper |
US11859690B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2024-01-02 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension system |
US10406883B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2019-09-10 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper |
US10697514B2 (en) | 2010-01-20 | 2020-06-30 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US11708878B2 (en) | 2010-01-20 | 2023-07-25 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper |
US11866110B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2024-01-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Lever assembly for positive lock adjustable seat post |
US10677309B2 (en) | 2011-05-31 | 2020-06-09 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for position sensitive suspension damping |
US11796028B2 (en) | 2011-05-31 | 2023-10-24 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for position sensitive suspension damping |
US11958328B2 (en) | 2011-09-12 | 2024-04-16 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension set up |
US10759247B2 (en) | 2011-09-12 | 2020-09-01 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for suspension set up |
US11760150B2 (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2023-09-19 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US11279199B2 (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2022-03-22 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Suspension damper with by-pass valves |
US10330171B2 (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2019-06-25 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US11629774B2 (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2023-04-18 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US10859133B2 (en) | 2012-05-10 | 2020-12-08 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper |
US20160161944A1 (en) * | 2014-12-05 | 2016-06-09 | Charles A. Leonard | Vehicle leveling systems, devices and methods and computer program products for leveling vehicles using smart devices |
US11472252B2 (en) | 2016-04-08 | 2022-10-18 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Electronic compression and rebound control |
US10737546B2 (en) | 2016-04-08 | 2020-08-11 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Electronic compression and rebound control |
US11884122B2 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2024-01-30 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Mechanical bypass of a valve body |
US20230226873A1 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2023-07-20 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Mechanical bypass of a valve body |
US12005755B2 (en) | 2022-03-17 | 2024-06-11 | Fox Factory, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US10556477B2 (en) | 2020-02-11 |
US9556925B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 |
US20130228404A1 (en) | 2013-09-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10556477B2 (en) | Suspension damper with by-pass valves | |
US11708878B2 (en) | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper | |
US11408482B2 (en) | Bypass for a suspension damper | |
US9239090B2 (en) | Suspension damper with remotely-operable valve | |
EP2410203B1 (en) | Suspension Damper with Remotely-Operable Valve | |
US20230019929A1 (en) | Position sensitive suspension damping with an active valve | |
US20190176557A1 (en) | Active valve for an internal bypass | |
US20210229519A1 (en) | Electronically controlled sway bar damping link | |
US9353818B2 (en) | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper | |
EP3290738B1 (en) | Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper | |
US20210088100A1 (en) | Dual live valve shock having main damper and base valve actively controlled | |
US11760150B2 (en) | Suspension damper with by-pass valves | |
EP3663605B1 (en) | Position sensitive suspension damping with an active valve | |
EP2402626B1 (en) | Bypass for a Suspension Damper | |
EP3660349A1 (en) | Active valve for an internal bypass |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FOX FACTORY, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MARKING, JOHN;REEL/FRAME:047750/0127 Effective date: 20180312 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, CA Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:FOX FACTORY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:049388/0585 Effective date: 20190603 Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, CALIFORNIA Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:FOX FACTORY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:049388/0585 Effective date: 20190603 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: AWAITING TC RESP., ISSUE FEE NOT PAID |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT VERIFIED |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FOX FACTORY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:059616/0435 Effective date: 20220405 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FOX FACTORY, INC., GEORGIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:059704/0224 Effective date: 20220405 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |